Electronic Lock Supplier Ojmar U.S. Defeats Competitor’s Patent
Posted: November 23, 2016 in Suppliers
ojmar
HOLLAND, MI – Ojmar U.S. LLC., announced that the company has earned a significant victory in its ongoing legal dispute against Security People Inc., which does business as Digilock. In an October 26 decision, the Patent Trial and Appeals Board declared invalid Digilock’s patent following a review process by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
“This is clear vindication for Ojmar and for OEM customers who were held hostage by an invalid patent,” said James Oonk, Sales Director for Ojmar US. “We are excited to have successfully defended ourselves against these baseless patent claims from Digilock and look forward to the opportunity to compete in the U.S. marketplace with Digilock on the merits of our product and services and continue to grow our business.”
In November of 2014, Digilock sued Ojmar in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California alleging patent infringement against the company. Digilock demanded that Ojmar keep out of the United States market. In response, Ojmar argued that the Digilock patent was unenforceable and filed a petition for review by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in April 2015, challenging the validity of the patent claims.
The patent claims by Digilock were directed at the company’s electronic locks, which are intended for use in health clubs, universities, and select businesses. The actions taken by Ojmar had already forced Digilock to give up two of the three patent claims it had asserted against Ojmar. In the recent decision, the Patent Trial and Appeals Board of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office determined that sole remaining claim was invalid as well, based on the existence of prior related patents. One of the prior patent references cited by Ojmar and relied upon by the board was a patent previously issued to the same inventor of the challenged patent – Digilock’s president Asil Gokcebay.
“This is a classic case of unfair competition that cost customers and Ojmar millions of dollars and blocked us from selling our superior and preferred locking system products,” said Oonk. “Invalidating Digilock’s patent is a victory for the marketplace and for free enterprise.”
